Cotter Crunch

Healthy Gluten Free Recipes One Bite at a Time!

Fruit Bake with Caramelized Apples (Paleo Friendly)

44 Comments

Gluten Free Icon Gluten FreeJump to Video Jump to Video
Jump to RecipePrint RecipeRate Recipe

Caramelized apples are the best part of this hot fruit bake! Fall’s favorite fruit, apples, get even sweeter when baked with caramelized coconut sugar, chopped nuts, spices, and apple cider! This healthier dessert recipe is paleo friendly, easy to make, and delicious. Eat it as is, or use it in a tart, or as atopping for waffles, pancakes, oatmeal, or ice cream!

Caramelized Apple Cider Hot Fruit Bake

As I sit here typing, this very dish, a hot fruit bake with caramelized apples, is my oven. Third time to make it. Yup!  And the house smells A M A Z I N G!!

Not gonna lie, it’s half the reason I make this. The smell alone makes me feel like it’s Christmas morning and just plain giddy.

Kinda like those sticky coffee cake muffins. Don’t worry, Christmas is only 80 days away! GASP! But I digress. Anyway, let’s talk about the deliciousness and simplicity of this paleo friendly dessert recipe. Cause it’s what I LIVE FOR! Okay that’s a lie, but you get my point.

Now, wanna know the God’s honest truth? The truth about why I’m making this hot fruit bake again?

hot baked fruit dessert with caramelized apples

This caramelized apples hot fruit bake is my Fall inspired version of an old family recipe. A “tweaked” version of my spiced hot fruit bake recipe.  Yes, tweaked (or rather “revamped”) it to make more paleo friendly and healthy. And by healthy I mean healthier, healthyish. By no means is this a superfood recipe.

BUT…. it is a HEALTHIER dessert, brunch, breakfast bake topping option that is made without any refined sugar. I get bonus points now, right?

caramelized apples in a hot baked fruit dessert

Sheesh, there I go again, diverting you from the truth of why I am making this dish for the 3rd time, gladly. You see, I’m a very flawed and somewhat disorganized person. Yep, it’s true. I “may”  have lost my notes on how I actually made this recipe, remade, tweaked, etc. In fact, I may have lost those recipes notes not once, but twice! Ha!

What can I say?  I’m old school ya’ll! I use pen and paper. Which, sometimes ends up being more work, but I’m okay wth that.

Writing recipes in my notebook allows me to escape the computer and get caught up in the process of recipe creation, creativity. Just me, my messy kitchen island, a notebook full of paper with scratch marks and some kind of food ingredient smeared all over it, and the smell of a new gluten free recipe baking or roasting in the oven. Or in this case, apple cider fruit bake. Again.

It’s my favorite time of day. Almost like a few hours of solitude and creativity combined. Call me corny Cotter, but I think we all need those moments.

The good thing is practice makes perfect.

So, I’ve just perfected this caramelized apple cider hot fruit bake recipe for you. Kidding. Although, in my mind, I’ve perfected the art of making it. And you know what? That’s pretty magical!

How to Make Hot Fruit Bake with Caramelized Apples (Video):

Watch this quick video to see just how easy this hot fruit bake is to make.

 

 

You’re going to need:

  • Apples
  • Cinnamon
  • Butter
  • Coconut sugar
  • Vanilla
  • Apple juice
  • Maple syrup
  • Apple cider vinegar

pouring butter and sugar mixture over fresh apple slices before baking

Heavens Yes! Sweet, tart, buttery caramelized apples in baked fruit goodness.

Plus the smell.. oh the smell!

Print

Hot Fruit Bake with Caramelized Apples (Paleo Friendly, Gluten Free)

★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Lindsay Cotter
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 1 hr 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hr 15 minutes
  • Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Description

Caramelized apples in a hot fruit bake! This healthier dessert recipe is paleo friendly, easy to make, and delicious. Great topping for waffles or pancakes!

Scale

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup butter (8 tbsp) or vegan butter/ghee for lacotse free
  • 1/3 cup coconut sugar (see notes for less sugar option)
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp nutmeg or pumpkin spice
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 2–4 tbsp maple syrup
  • 5 –6 cups (250 –260 grams or so) of sliced apples (red, green, or mixed)
  • 1/2 cup apple juice mixed with 1 tbsp Apple Cider Vinergar (this combo acts as the apple cider part)
  • coconut sugar to top
  • optional: 1/3 cup toasted nuts

Instructions

  1. Slice your apples. Leave peel on. Place in a large bowl.
  2. In a small pot, combine your butter, maple syrup, sugar, vanilla, and spices.
  3. Bring to a soft boil and then reduce to low for 5 minutes. Just until it thickens or “caramelizes” a bit.
  4. Next pour your caramelized sugar over your apples in a bowl. Mix thorough.
  5. Place caramelized apples in a large casserole dish. Spread out evenly. Pour the apple juice/cider mix evenly on top.
  6. Sprinkle extra coconut sugar on top if desired.
  7. Place in oven at 325F for 1 hour, mixing apples half way through baking.
  8. add nuts during last 15 minutes if you want to toast them with the fruit bake
  9. Remove from oven and serve immediately or cover, refigerate and cool for later use.
  10. If serving later, rewarm in oven when ready.

Notes

Works well with vegan butter or ghee if you need to adjust for paleo/vegan. Great to make ahead and then reheat for serving.

Instead of nut topping, you can add in seeds or even leave without.

For lower sugar option feel free to use baking stevia or Swerve.

  • Category: dessert
  • Method: baked
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: caramelized apples, hot fruit bake, fall dessert recipe, gluten free desserts, paleo friendly desserts

The oven timer is ringing. I’m ready to serve! Now bring over you’re bowl and let’s make this a coffee date. Cool?

Caramelized Apple Cider Hot Fruit Bake

caramelized-apple-cider-hot-fruit-bake-2-2

 I wish we could start every Monday that way? Sigh…

Other ways to enjoy this “healthier” Caramelized Apples Hot Fruit Bake:

caramelized apples topped with chopped nuts

Okay friends, what did you bake this weekend? Or did you get all OCTOBER-ish and caramelize apples or drink apple cider? Haha, no? Well then maybe this weekend we should all do that together.

Mmm k?

 

What’s your favorite Fall fruit dish? I’d love more recipes!Cheers,

 signature1

 

 

Caramelized Apple Cider Hot Fruit Bake! Fall's favorite fruit gets even sweeter with a caramelized sugar, chopped nut, and cider topping! No refined sugar added, paleo friendly, easy, and delicious. Also makes for a great topping for waffles, pancakes, oatmeal, or simply by itself! @cottercrunch

Related Posts

Photo of Lindsay Cotter of Cotter CrunchHi, I’m Lindsay!  Gluten Free Nutrition Specialist, food photographer and author of Nourishing Superfood Bowls, and meal plan guru! I’d love to know you more! Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and drop a comment below.

Have a question? Use ctrl+f or ⌘+f on your computer or the “find on page” function on your phone browser to search existing comments!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Rate & Comment

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  6. Kate @KateMovingForward says

    October 3, 2016 at 9:40 AM

    Girl! This looks fantastic! I have some apple cider in my fridge, just waiting for this! Would I just use 1/2 cup instead of the ACV + apple juice? My family actually makes apple cider each year at an apple press–it is one of my favorite fall traditions!

    Reply

  7. Julia Mueller says

    October 3, 2016 at 10:26 AM

    There…are…no…words….!!! I want this for/alongside ever meal e’ery day! I love apple treats and this is such a beautiful recipe..simple, healthful…aaaaagh I want the whole lot of it!

    Reply

  8. Blair says

    October 3, 2016 at 3:44 PM

    I can just imagine the smell! I bet this makes the entire house smell incredible!

    And yes…I’m a paper-and-pencil gal too. Love that break from the computer!

    Reply

  12. Sam @ PancakeWarriors says

    October 4, 2016 at 8:05 AM

    OMGGGG!! This sounds like the perfect thing to make and take with me to the gym. I’m obsessed wtih all the fall flavors! And what could be better then a warm bowl of this deliciousness after training clients for hours! Thanks for sharing!

    Reply

  13. Meghan@CleanEatsFastFeets says

    October 4, 2016 at 8:10 AM

    I made an apple crisp this weekend out of the failed remnants of another recipe creation. I didn’t hate it, although I think I would love this a little better. I’m old school too. I use a notebook and pen for all recipes. It’s dog eared and chicken scratched like crazy and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

    Reply

  15. Emily says

    October 4, 2016 at 8:40 PM

    I’m all over the apples for fall; this looks so delicious Lindsay! I actually find that I like coconut sugar, the deep rich taste of it better than regular sugar; it’s more like brown sugar for me. I love that you don’t skimp on making the Paleo baked goodies REALLY really good. All of your baked goods I’ve tried have been so delicious. Thank you for blessing people with them day after day!

    Reply

    • Cotter Crunch says

      October 5, 2016 at 7:56 AM

      I’m so glad! Love that coconut sugar for the same reasons. SO rich! Enjoy the mountains friend and I really appreciate all your encouragement and support. You are a blessing!

      Reply

  18. Lex K. says

    December 18, 2018 at 11:12 AM

    Loved this recipe! My husband and I made in for a quick dessert after family dinner and it was a hit! Even those who aren’t as health conscience as we are loved it;) Easy and delicious. We swapped out oats for the nuts.

    ★★★★★

    Reply

freebie!

Nourishing Superfood Bowls Cookbook 5 Free Recipes Sneak PeekSign up & get 5 FREE RECIPES from my Nourishing Superfood Bowls Cookbook

freebie!

Nourishing Superfood Bowls Cookbook 5 Free Recipes Sneak PeekSign up & get 5 FREE RECIPES from my Nourishing Superfood Bowls Cookbook

shares